Air cleaner



May 30, 1933. c. A. wlNsLoW 1,912,235

AIR CLEANER I I Filed sept. 1o, 192s 2 sheets-Sheet 1l AIR CLEANER Filed Sept. 10. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

J v C/w/izsj Winslow Hin connection with the accompanying ings in which f f f A Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an a1r tain features of the invention, 'and `Patented May 3o, 1933 'ras PATENT oFrlc-ls:v

CHARLES A. WINsLoW, or VALLEJO, cALIFoaNLA A1B CLEANER Application 'led September This invention relates "to air Vcleaners Jfor internal combustion engines, air compressors, and the like and has forits vprlnclpal objects to provide a simple compact structure that Willfremove all solid matter from ent through a long periodof service Without i l attention; that can be easily taken apart for removing collected foreign matter; and that can be manufacturedl at small cost.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the dlsclosure proceeds and-the descriptlon isi read rawcleaner embodying the invention, appropriate connections -With an engine. being diagrammaticall'y indicated;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation illustratlng a step in the process ofv making the filter;

Fig. 4 is-a vertical section of another form embodying some of the features of the invention;

Figs.` 5 and 7 are similar sectional views, illustrating still other forms embodying cer-5 Figs. 6 and l8- are transverse sections taken l on the line 6-6 ofFig. `5 and line 8--8 of Fig. 7, respectively.

But neither the specific illustration nor thc correspondingly specific description is to be taken as a limitation for it is realized that thc substance of the invention may be embodied in a variety of forms.

The air cleaner shovvn in'Figs. 1 and 2 includes a casing composed of a cast body portion 10 having a cover 11-on top and a sheet i metal shell 12 depending at the bottom. In the body portion there vis an annular inlet space 13 surrounding and separated from an oil chamber 14 by an inner Wall 15. The outer wall 16 is circular and provided at one side (Fig. 2) vwith a hollow boss 17 for connection with a tube 18 leading to any point from which thel air is to b`e taken and at the other. side with fa similar boss 19 for connec` 59 tion with a tube 2O leading to the intake of the air passing through it and will be etlici' 1o, 192s. serial 110.305,10.

the carburetor 21, or an air compressor, or the like. 1

The cover 11 has flanges telescoping with the innervand outer Walls and 16, and is, provided with a tubular central portion 22 55 extending upwardly and tted With a cap 23 held in place by the spring clip 24. The shell l2 is composed of a'cylindrical body portion anda convex bottom 25 joined by crimped 'edges 26. A

The bottomv 27 of the oil chamber is perforated at 28 and a distributing pad of felt 29 is secured to its underside by a Wire or cord sewed through the pad and perforations 28. A filter generally indicated by 29 65 is seated against the pad 29 at one end and against the bottom 25 of the shell at the other, and is spaced from the body portion of theshell to leave an inlet chamber 30.

The filter is composed of woven wire lami- 70 nae 31, preferably of severaldiffere'nt. mesh, in substantially cylindrical form and rings 32 having flanges 33 telescoping with and secured tothe inner and outerlaminae.' The upperring 32 is provided `with numerous 75 kperforations 34 to permit oil in the pad to pass to the various laminae. The filter is held in place by theeshell which, in turn, is made fast and urged upwardly by a resilient bail 35 having its end "80 portions 36 seated in perforated bosses 37 s on the body portion of the casing and its yintermediate portion coiled at 38 to cooperate `Witha depression 39 in the bottom25. y

A The. inlet passage 13 near the bottom is 85 provided with inclined blades or louvers 40 which causel the air to whirl in the inlet chamber 30. f

The body of theA casing is provided with an outlet passage comprising a centrally disposedtube 41telescoping with the upper end of the ilter, an intermediate curved portion 42 forming a rsort of' elbow and a laterally directed portion 43 communicating with the tube 20. 95 The oil chamber 14' is provided with a layer of asbestos 44 near the bottom and above that is packed with mineral wool, or the like, '45 held in place by'a screen 46.

The curved portion 42 of the outlet connection should be made at a point removed from the breather, which is conceived to be on the opposite side of the engine 52 (Fig. 1), and is indicated in dotted lines at 53 as being equipped with a filter 54.

n operation air is drawn through the tube 18 into the inlet passage 13 and the louvers direct it into a Whirl as it enters the inlet chamber 30. Thus, by centrifugal force heavier solid matter is thrown against the inner wall of the shell and settles to the bot-v tom along that wall. The air passes through. the laminated screen and escapes through the outlet and passes through the tube 20 to the carburetor 21.

Oil in the oil chamber `flows slowly through the asbestos at the bottom, through the perforations 28 and is distributed by the pad 29 to the laminas at the upper end of the filter and thence travels downwardly serving to assist the laminae in catching solid matter and also to wash the/accumulated solid matter downwardly.

Air is also drawn from the crank case and includes, in addition to the volatiles, some oil in the form of mist, which assists in separating out the solid matter and in keep-` ing theouter portion of the filter and the inner Wall ofthe shell covered With ya thin n. layer of oil, which tends to travel downwardly. n. A The draft through the crank case, in addition to moving objectionable volatiles, tends to cool the oil and divert the objectionable odors to the carbureter,^ and finally to the exhaust instead of allowing them to escape into the car.

By swinging the bail 35 aside the shell with the filter maybe quickly removed and cleaned by dipping in oil, or first iny kerosene and then in oil.

The shell is closed at its lower end for providing a sump for receiving sludge and excess oil fiowing downwardly from the filter material. This shell may have an outlet 12a to prevent excess accumulation of dirty oil when cleaning is neglected.'

The pressure of the b ail on the shellis communicated through the filter to the pad 29, which thereby functions as a valve to c'ontrol the flow of oil from the chamber to .the filter. This pressure can be adjusted by bending the bail. The iow of oil to the filter element will be greater during the operation of the engine, due to the resiliency' of the bail and the vibration of the motor. The motor vibration Will tend to cause the filter element 31 to vibrate vertically and this will cause a variable pressure on the pad. Any temporary release on the pressure Will permit the oil to temporarily flow into the pad, and during the compression of the pad while the engine is operating the oil will be partially forced out of the pad on to the filter element.

r. The filter may be made in a number of Ways, but preferably the outer layer is Woven in the form of a cylinder and the inner layers are formed into a roll of smaller diameter which is inserted in the cylinder `and then allowed to expand against the inner surface thereof. In this way the mesh of the various laminae automatically is placed out of register.

In the form shown in Fig. 4, the base casting includes a basin 55 draining to the left in that figure, an elbow-shaped tubular outlet 56, and a split socket 57 for receiving a ltube upon which the air cleaner is to be mounted.v Surrounding the upper end of the outlet 56 is a shoulder 58 which, together with projections 59 extending from the bottom of the base, form a seat for a ring 60, perforated at 61 and having fianges 62 telescoping with the filter 63 formed of a plurality of woven wire laminae, as before described.

At the top of the filter is a sheet metal /oil chamber 64 having an annular seat 65 on its underside receiving' the upper end ofY the filter and provided with perforations 66 to permitl oilfrom'the packing 67 toffeed slowly to the upper end of the filter.

`The cover 68 of the oil chamber is also of sheet metal and is provided with a depending fiange 69 telescoping, with the Wall of the oil chamber. At the center the oil chamber is provided with a threaded fitting 70 cooperating with the bolt 71 to secure the parts together.

An oil cup 72 is providedwith a threaded stem 73 engaging corresponding` bores lin the cover 68 and the upper. end of the fitting 70. A piston 74 loosely mounted in the cup 'has a conical valve 75 adapted to cooperate with the seat 76 in the-bottom of the cup. When the springl75a is compresseda cover 77 closes the cup andv is equipped with a check valve 78, and a nipple 79 connects the cover with the pipe 8,0 leading to thevforce feed lubricating system. The valve 75 controls a' passage through the stemv 73 and a transverse bore 81 in the fitting 70. f In'operation air is drawn through the {ilter and passes through the outlet 56 to the engine, compressor, or the like.- chamber 64 flowsv out through the perforation 66 and down the laminas of the filter "and either passes "out through the perforaou in the tions 61 or over the flange 62 into the basin y a suitable container or to the ground, as desired.

Each time lthe machine is operated oil pressure in thelubricating system opens the check valve 78, fills the cup 72, overcomes the spring 75a and closes the valve 75. When the machine is stopped, the pressure is relieved, the check valve 78 closes, thel spring urges the loose fitting piston 7 4 upward, and

vthe oil escapes 'around the piston and passes into the chamber 64, from whence it is distributed to the filter, which is thereby Washed after each operation.

In the 'form shown in` Fig 5 there is a centrally located' perforated tube 83 to which is spot-welded a sheet metal basin 84, equipped with a removable plug to permit collected oil and dirt to be drawn off. Above` the basin is a Aring 85 receiving the lowerv end of the filter 86 composed of woven wire laminas. i

A sheet metal oil chamber 87 is provided with a threaded projection 88 connected with the upper end of the tube. The removable cover 89 closes the oil chamber but permits access for replenishing the oil in the packing 90. rllhe operation of this form is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 4 except as to the supply of oil to the chamber.

ln Fig. 7 the base ofthe air cleaner is a hollow casting 91 having a shoulder 92 against which rests a catch basin 93. Above the basin is a filter 94 composed of conical laminae of woven wire, which are secured between av ring 95 and an oil chamber 96 byn long rivets 97. A. rod 98 swiveled in the oil chamber is threaded into a' strut 99 extending across the hollow of the base casting.

ln this form the air passes inwardly through the lter and out through the hollow base. rlhe oil in the chamber 96 seeps through the perforations 100 and passes` down through 'the filter. 'lhe device is cleaned by unscrewing the rod 98 and dipping it in oil which, operation incidentally fills the oil chamber 96.

lf claim as my invention l. ln an air cleaner, a .hollow filter generally circular in horizontal section and composed of woven wire laminae with the mesh of adjacent laminae out of register and having an outlet for clean air communicating with the interior, a casing enclosing the lfilter and separated from its'periphery by an annular space and having an airy inlet passage communicating with the annular space and an air outlet passage leading from the outlet of the filter and meansfor feeding oil to the upper end of the filter.

2. In an air cleaner, a hollow filter generally circular in horizontal section and composed of woven wire laminae with the mesh of adjacent lamin out of register and having an outlet for clean air communicating with the interior, a casing comprising a body portion above the filter and a depending shell closed at the bottom and cooperating with the periphery of the filter to enclose an inlet chamber, said body portion having an inlet passage supplying air to the inletchamber,and means for feeding oil slowly to the top ofthe filter.

3. ln an air cleaner, a'hollow filter generally circular in horizontal. section and composed of woven wire laminae with the meshl the inlet chamber, and means for feeding oil slowly tothe top of the filter comprising an absorbent pad carried by the body portion.

4. ln an air-cleaner, a casing having an oil chamber, an inlet passagev around the oil chamber open at the bottom and an outlet` passage, a hollow filter composed of woven wire laminasl dependlng from the casing and having its interior communicating with the outlet, a shell depending from the casing and cooperating with the filter to form an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet passage, and means to distribute oil to the upper end ofthe filter. 4

5. In an air cleaner, a casing having an oil chamber, an inlet passage around the oil chamber open at the bottom and an outletl passage, a hollow filter composed of woven wire laminas depending from the casing and `having its interior communicating withv the outlet, a shell depending from the casing and cooperating with the filter to form an inlet chamber communicating with theinlet passage, means to distribute oil to the upper end of the filter, and a pivoted bail on the casing detachably securing the shell thereto.

6. lfn anair cleaner, a casing having an oil chamber open at the top and perforated at the bottom, an inlet passage surrounding the oil chamber and open at the bottom and a cenceiving oil from said oil chamber, a hollow filter composed of woven wire laminae receiving oil from said pad; a cup-shaped shell enclosing the filter and telescoping with the inlet passage` and a bail pivoted to the casing and securing the shellXin place.

7. In an air filter devicefor an internal combustion engine, a casting having an air discharge passage, a Ihollow filter member having vits interior in communication with said discharge passage, a pad for conductlng oil to said filter,.means for supplying oil lll@ trally located outlet, 'a distributing pad re- NS to said pad, a` casing surrounding said 'filter member, and means for clamping said casing against said pad, said means being resilient, whereby the running of said engine will cause said pad to feed oil to said filter more freely than when said engine is at rest.

8. In'an air cleaner, a hollow filter', generally circular in horizontal section and composed of woven wire closely wound in cylindrical form'with the mesh of adjacent laminae out of register and having an outlet for clean air communicating with the interior thereof and means. forfeeding oil slowly to the top of the filter, whereby it flows downwardly along theouter lamin by gravity. 9. In an air cleaner, a hollowfilter, generally circular in horizontal section and composed of woven wire closely wound in cylindrical form with the mesh of adjacent laminze out of register and having an outlet for clean air communicating with the interior thereof and means for feeding oil slowly to the top of the filter comprising an absorbent pad superposed on the filter` whereby it flows downwardly Oalong the laminie by gravity. f

l0. ln an air cleaner, a hollow filter, generally circular in horizontal section and composed of a plurality of contacting turnsof woven wire with the mesh ofr adjacent laminaelout of register and having an outlet for clean air communicating with the interior, a casing comprising a body portion above the filter and a depending shell closed at the bottom and cooperating with the periphery of the filter to enclose an inlet chamber, said body portion having an inletJ passage supplying air to then inlet chamber, and

means for continuously moistening saidfilter.

l1. in an4 air cleaning system for an internal'combustion engine provided with an intake passage, a casing in communication with said intake passage, a filter within said casing, means for causing air to enter said casing, tact with said filter, and How downwardly, an outlet for said filter connecting 'with the interior thereof, means for oiling said filter, and an oil sump below said filter memberz rotate about a vertical axis in con-v relaasrs in said casing-in contact with said filter member for assisting in causing the sludge and foreign matter collecting on said filter member to flow downwardlyI into said sump.

14. In an air cleaning system for internal combustion engines having a carburetor, a casing, an oil sump in the lower portion of said casing, said casing having an opening above its lower end for permitting excess oil collecting in said sump to fiow from said casing, a filter element extending downwardly in said casing, said element being hollow and providing an unobstructed air passage through the same, means for introducing atmospheric air into said casing at the upper portion thereof and causing the same to flow downwardly longitudinally of said filter and through the same, a conduit in the upper portion of said casing for conducting the air passing through said filter element to said carburetor and means for maintaining oil on said filter element during the operation of said engine VVfor collecting dust from the air while the latter is passing through said filter material.

l'n testimony whereof l affix my signature.

CHARLES A. WINSLOW.

for receiving excess oil from said member.'y

12. ln an air cleaning system for an internal combustion engine provided with an intake passage, a filter member, means fordirecting a current of air from the crankcase ofsaid engine to said casing adjacent the top thereof, means for causing a current of air entering said casing, to gyrate about said filter member in contact therewith and flow downward about and through the same to said intake passage.

`13. In an air cleaning system for internal combustion engines having a,carburetor,.a casing provided with a conduit fir com- 

